It was on this very same stage a year ago that Pajari claimed his first-ever WRC stage win, and once again the Finnish driver mastered the jumps and crests of the iconic test. This time, he edged out his Toyota team-mate Takamoto Katsuta by just 0.1 seconds to take the stage win.
“It felt pretty cautious at the beginning, but maybe that helped me carry good speed onto the straights. That’s how you get a good time,” said Pajari, who has now taken his second stage win of the day.
Toyota’s Kalle Rovanperä remains in the overall lead. On Ruuhimäki, he was 1.1 seconds off Pajari’s benchmark.
“This was a pretty decent loop for us, and I’m happy with it. It’s not one of my favourite stages, so considering that, I can be pleased with the time,” Rovanperä commented.
Rovanperä holds a 4.4-second lead in the overall standings ahead of Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux. Just behind the Frenchman, the fight is incredibly tight: third-placed Pajari, fourth-placed Katsuta, and fifth-placed Thierry Neuville are all within a few tenths of a second of second place.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier, meanwhile, have dropped nearly ten seconds behind the rally leader. WRC championship leader Ott Tänak struggled with his first-on-the-road starting position on Ruuhimäki and dropped to 16.1 seconds behind the overall lead. Now eighth in the standings, Tänak once again complained that he doesn’t have full confidence in his car.
Five more special stages remain on Friday after the midday service. Rally Finland concludes on Sunday.
Rally Finland standings after SS5/20:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
| 1. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | 28:16.7 |
| 2. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +4.4 |
| 3. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +4.5 |
| 4. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +4.8 |
| 5. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +4.9 |
| 6. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +9.3 |
| 7. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +9.7 |
| 8. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +16.1 |
| 9. | Martins Sesks | Ford | +22.0 |
| 10. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +28.1 |
| 11. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +49.5 |
Rally Finland itinerary (CET):
Thursday, 31 July
08.01 Shakedown: Ruuhimäki (4.12 km)
18.05 SS1: Harju 1 (2.58 km)
Friday, 1 August
07.03 SS2: Laukaa 1 (17.96 km)
08.03 SS3: Saarikas 1 (15.78 km)
09.23 SS4: Myhinpää 1 (14.47 km)
10.51 SS5: Ruuhimäki 1 (7.76 km)
12.01 Service (40 min)
13.44 SS6: Laukaa 2 (17.96 km)
14.44 SS7: Saarikas 2 (15.78 km)
16.04 SS8: Myhinpää 2 (14.47 km)
17.35 SS9: Ruuhimäki 2 (7.76 km)
18.30 SS10: Harju 2 (2.58 km)
Saturday, 2 August
07.01 SS11: Parkkola 1 (15.51 km)
08.42 SS12: Västilä 1 (18.94 km)
09.36 SS13: Päijälä 1 (20.19 km)
11.05 SS14: Leustu 1 (16.44 km)
12.35 Service (40 min)
14.01 SS15: Parkkola 2 (15.51 km)
15.42 SS16: Västilä 2 (18.94 km)
16.36 SS17: Päijälä 2 (20.19 km)
18.05 SS18: Leustu 2 (16.44 km)
Sunday, 3 August
09.35 SS19: Ouninpohja 1 (23.98 km)
12.15 SS20: Ouninpohja 2 (23.98 km) *Power Stage
